System to construct an improved view of a process

ABSTRACT

The proper visualization of a business process plays a key role in analyzing, changing, simulating and monitoring the business process. Most BPMS systems today, provide a modeling environment where the business user can define and visualize business processes as BPMN diagrams. Some more advanced systems (such as Sawion Business Manager) enable monitoring of the business process at run-time via a color-coded view of the process diagram. While process diagram is an important view of the process, it lacks the level of abstraction needed to provide information in an optimal way to the business users. The proposed visualization, called the 360 degree view provides an optimal view of a business process without losing important details about the process.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 61/111,521, filed on 5 Nov. 2008; all of the foregoingpatent-related document(s) are hereby incorporated by reference hereinin their respective entirety(ies).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to computer software for working withbusiness processes (“business process related computer software”) andmore particularly to user interfaces for business process relatedcomputer software.

2. Description of the Related Art

In business process related computer software, users are conventionallyprovided with process diagrams. These diagrams are generated by thebusiness process related software and displayed to the user on a videodisplay and/or a printed-out “hard” copy. User review these processdiagrams for many reasons, including: (i) to understand the process;(ii) to edit the process and process diagram; (iii) to compare anabstract or target version of the process to the manner in which theprocess is actually performed in the real world; (iv) to compare varioustrial, iterations or performances of the process; (v) to controlmachines, computers, industrial appliances or other commercial-processhardware based on the information in the process diagram; and/or (vi) totransform matter (for examples, processing raw physical, pharmaceuticalmaterials; treating medical patients; transferring funds). With processdiagrams, it takes a user some amount of time and attention tounderstand the time to fully understand the process, of course. Theamount of time and attention that is required to analyze a processdiagram will generally depend upon at least the following factors: (i)the number of process steps (see DEFINITIONS section) in the process;(ii) the number of alternative paths through the process; (iii) thenumber of concurrent paths through the sub-process and/or (iv) the mediaon which the process is being analyzed. Conventional process diagramsare a useful tool and are likely to remain so for the foreseeablefuture.

The most common way of analyzing any complex business process, usingconventional business process views, involves the following steps: (i)diagram out the business process using a tool; (ii) print the processdiagram over multiple pages; (iii) stitch the pages together a commonboard; and (iv) trace the paths through the process; and (v) markvarious worksteps along the path(s). The larger the process gets, themore time will be spent in: (i) deciding on the optimal printing size ofthe process without losing legibility; (ii) stitching multitude of pagesto reconstruct the process diagram on hard copy (for example, paperpasted to a common board); and (iii) translating the modificationsand/or corrections made on paper back to the process as represented inthe business process related computer software.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a screen 100 with a from an exemplary,software-implemented integrated development environment (“IDE”), showinga diagram view of a very simple order processing business process. Thisis called a diagram view because it is similar in nature to a flowchart.As shown in the figure, even for this simple process, it is hard toidentify the 4 paths that can lead the process from start 102 to finish104. Conventionally, this is how business processes are displays,leading to the difficulties identified above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a user interface portion ofbusiness process related computer software that provides improved viewsof the business process. These conventional abstract views may begenerated with a particular analysis aspect in mind. For example, ifprocess is being analyzed for optimizing time, the view may show thetime statistics for each of the process steps in the process. Or if theanalysis is based on cost of execution, each path through the processmay be annotated with the total cost of execution. The superposition ofdata on the view can be statically derived from estimated values definedat design time, be generated randomly via a simulation engine, or beretrieved from a business process management system (“BPMS”) based onexecution history.

A preferred business process view according to the present invention iscalled an angular business process view. Under the angular process view,a two dimensional (that is, at least two dimensional) set ofco-ordinates is set up, with the (at least) two dimensions being: (i)angular; and (ii) radial. Various tasks of the business process areallocated different angular segments of the co-ordinate set, while theradial dimension represents time sequence of ordered tasks and/or time.The angular and radial dimensions will serve to define an origin for theangular view, and this origin is preferably centered in the center ofthe process view. The angular view may represent only a portion of theprocess steps (that is, a sub-process) of a larger business process.Preferably, the origin represents either the start point or the endpoint of the represented process or sub-process

Preferably: (i) radial distance from the origin represents time (orinverse time, if the process steps are shown to be converging on anendpoint at the origin); (ii) radial length of a process step representsthe amount of time that the process step takes (or is targeted to take);(iii) angular alignment (or partial angular alignment) of process stepsrepresents the sequence of steps in a sub-process; and (iv) processsteps that are radially aligned, but angularly, mutually offset fromeach other are either parallel concurrent process steps or alternativeconcurrent process steps. As will become clear from the detaileddiscussion below, in many cases, concurrent business process step chains(see DEFINITIONS section) can be more easily understood and assimilatedby human users when the user uses an angular view to view a businessprocess (see DEFINITIONS section) or sub-process.

Various embodiments of the present invention may exhibit one or more ofthe following objects, features and/or advantages:

(i) reduce time spent analyzing the business process;

(ii) improve clarity and/or focus of analysis of a business process;

(iii) avoid the need to stitch or cut and paste multiple page hardcopies together to provide an appropriate view of the business process;

(iv) avoid recourse to convention views of a business process with tinyprint;

(v) improved user understanding of business processes;

(vi) improved editing of business processes by users;

(vii) improved comparisons, by users, of an abstract or target versionof the business process to the manner in which the business process isactually performed in the real world;

(viii) improved comparison, by users, of various trial, iterations orperformances of the business process in the real world;

(ix) improved control of machines, computers, industrial appliances orother commercial-process hardware based on the information in theprocess diagram that are controlled (at least in part) based on thebusiness process; and/or

(x) improved transformations of matter (for examples, processing rawphysical, pharmaceutical materials; treating medical patients;transferring funds, transferring possession of good, executing servicesthat involve a transformation of matter) where the transformation ofmatter is controlled (at least in part) by the business process.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method includes thesteps of: (i) providing a business process comprising a plurality ofbusiness process steps; (ii) generating, by a machine, an angularbusiness process view corresponding to the business process, with theangular business process view defining at least an angular direction anda radial direction, with each business process step being represented asan angular block in the angular business process view, with the orderingof the angular blocks in the angular direction representing differentprocess step chains or sub-chains and with the ordering of the angularblocks in the radial direction representing temporal order of thebusiness process steps; and creating, by a machine, a visualrepresentation of the angular business process view.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, business processrelated computer software program is stored in any way that can beaccessed an read by a computer or set of computers (for example storedin a tangible medium, such as on a disc of flash drive). The softwareprogram includes a business process module; and an angular view module.The business process module is programmed to store at least one businessprocess, with the business process including a plurality of businessprocess steps. The angular view module is programmed to display thebusiness process as an angular business process view defining at leastan angular direction and a radial direction, with each business processstep being represented as an angular block in the angular businessprocess view, with the ordering of the angular blocks in the angulardirection representing different process step chains or sub-chains andwith the ordering of the angular blocks in the radial directionrepresenting temporal order of the business process steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated byreading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a conventional diagram view of a business process which isprior art, and may additionally be used in some embodiments of businessprocess software according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a tabular view of a business process which is used in at leastsome embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a first embodiment of an angular view of a business processaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an angular view of a portion of a larger business process(also called a sub-process or sub-process drill down) according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of an angular view of a business processaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram view of a sub-process (or process step chain) of thebusiness process shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram view of a sub-process (or process step chain) of thebusiness process shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 8 is a diagram view of a sub-process (or process step chain) of thebusiness process shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 9 is a later (post-editing) angular view of the business process ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a computer systemfor running and using business process related software according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of business processrelated software according to the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a second embodiment of an angular view of a business processaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 is screenshot 200 from an exemplary IDE (in this example SavvionBPM Studio developed by Savvion Inc.—the words/phrases “Savvion” and/or“Savvion BPM Studio may be subject to commonlaw and/orregistration-based trademark protection in various jurisdictionsthroughout the world), corresponding to the diagram view 100 discussedabove in connection with FIG. 1. Screenshot 200 provides, in tabularform, additional details of each of the process steps constituting thebusiness process. Although the tabular view of the business process isnot a primary focus of the present invention, it is noted that bothdiagram views and tabular views can be useful taken in conjunction withthe angular views which are a primary focus of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 2, the process steps can be reviewed in the tabulardisplay portion 202 of screenshot 200, and can be edited in the editingportion 204 of screenshot 200.

FIG. 3 shows screenshot 300 which includes an angular view 302 of abusiness process called “OrderProcessing.” As shown in FIG. 3, view 360extends about an origin at its center about a 360 degree angular sweepto form a circular shape. As illustrated, the view, while abstract,provides important insight into flow and time complexity of the process.The view reveals: (i) that there are 4 paths through the process; (ii)the heatmap of worksteps based on execution duration; and (iii) theestimated completion time of each path through the flow. As the usermoves the mouse, starting from the start (the bulls eye), outward, theestimated start time and the workstep name show up as a tooltip. In thediagram, popup window 304 shows that the selected path can be expectedto complete about 12 hours and 30 minutes after the initiation of theprocess.

FIG. 4 shows screenshot 350 which includes an angular view 352 of abusiness process (see DEFINITIONS section) called “CreditCheck.” View352 shows the drill down from the main process's credit check processstep. View 352 is a sub-process of the larger process shown in FIGS. 1,2 and 3. FIG. 4 demonstrates how a single angular block in a higherlevel view may be used to represent a sub-process having one or morebusiness process step chain(s) of its own. In fact, the angular processstep blocks of view 352 may represent sub-sub-process. Movinghierarchically in the other direction, angular view 302 may represent asub-process of an even larger process (not shown). In this way, it canbe seen the angular views of the present invention may helpfullyrepresent a business process at its highest defined level, and alsosub-processes, sub-sub-processes and so on. For a given angular view ofa given sub-process, the user may also be allowed to eliminate some ofthe process step chains of the sub-process. This feature may be helpfulwhen the angular view becomes cluttered in the angular direction.

As described in the claims below, a heatmap may be color coded to showthe completions time (expected, projected and/or actual) of theworksteps (or tasks) represented by angular blocks in the angularbusiness process view, with different colors being assigned to stepsthat fall within various completion time ranges. In addition to color,the width of each segment in the 360 degree view may be used to conveyadditional visual clues as to frequency of execution of one path versusanother. For example, the ‘approve order’ and ‘legal review’ activities,of view 302, are assumed to occur with equal probability, each occupyinghalf of allotted space. However, if the data reflects a non symmetricaldistribution, the generated 360 degree view can allocate a largersegment of the pie to the activity that occurs more frequently. Thewider the section, the more the instances that follow through thatsection of the execution path, and there is also more angular sweepspace to represent concurrent business process step chain(s) (whetherthey are alternative or parallel, see DEFINITIONS section) followingfrom the relatively wider section.

A tooltip may be defined for each of the activities in the 360 degreeview to reflect statistics relevant for the activity. For example, forcost analysis, activity tooltip may include resource cost for completingthe activity.

A more compact print-out of the process diagram is an advantage andfeature of at least some embodiments of the present invention.Information about a process that may span multiple pages, if printed asdiagram, may easily fit in fewer page using an angular business processview.

Interactive reports may contain multiple angular views of a single,complex process. Each report may depict a different aspect of thebusiness process. The exemplary IDE, BPM Studio, with 360 degree viewenhancements enables users to publish the process reports (with eitherestimated, simulated or real data collected from BPMS system) asinteractive web pages. The reports may be published to a server foraccess by a wide audience, or emailed as attachment for local analysisby the email recipient.

The angular business process view of the present invention facilitatesmanaging process complexity through reducing relevant activities intosub-processes. The exemplary IDE, BPM Studio, with 360 degree viewenhancement enables automatic detection of sections in the process thatmay be reduced to a sub-process. The 360 degree view will automaticallycreate a single, drillable activity. Clicking on the activity, from theparent view, opens the 360 degree view of the sub-process. In theexample of FIG. 3, the ‘check credit’ is a drillableactivity/sub-process. Clicking on the ‘check credit’ activity opens the360 degree view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows angular business process view 400 including angular blocksfor process steps A to Z. View 400 is not necessarily a preferredembodiment, but is included to help demonstrate the scope of the presentinvention. The main origin for view 400 is at the center of the processview. Arrow θ represents the angular direction. Six arrows labeled ρrepresent the radial direction. In view 400, the circumferential sidesof the angular blocks are straight lines, rather than circle segment arcshaped, to define a generally hexagonal scheme. Other general layoutscould be used for the angular business process views, including, but notlimited to, ellipses or other n-gons. In view 400, the radial lengths ofthe angular blocks are scaled to represent time (projected and/oractual). Note that in previous views 302 and 352, the radial dimensionrepresented time in the sense that earlier process steps were shown tobe radially inward of later-occurring process steps, the radialdimensions in views 302 and 352 were not necessarily scaled so thatthere is a fixed correspondence between radial length and time unitselapsed during a target or actual business process.

While it is not necessary for the radial dimension to represent time, asit does in view 400, this can be helpful because: (i) it provides anintuitive visual representation of process step time for the user; and(ii) it helps to show what process steps are run, or targeted to run,concurrently (in whole or in part), which gives users a good intuitivefeel for what the concurrent business process step chains are for aprocess involving multiple concurrent business process step chains.While the radial dimension may be used to represent time, it is notnecessary that the scale of the dimension be linearly correlated withtime. Also, the radial dimension may represent the inverse of time inthe sense that the earlier times may be radially outward relative tolater times, with the latest time being converged to at the origin ofthe angular view. Because the radial dimension is scaled according totime units, view 400 can give the user an even more accurate idea ofconcurrency of concurrent business process step chains, which is to saywhat business process step chains are running (or targeted to run)simultaneously, or at overlapping times.

It also noted that the lower, right-hand segment of process view 400 isunpopulated by any angular blocks. In this sense, view 400 is not a 360degree view, but it is still an angular business process view. Theangular block for task J defines a secondary origin, with multipleseries of blocks emerging from this secondary origin. The angular blockfor task U defines a tertiary origin, with multiple series of blocksemerging from this tertiary origin.

As shown by cross-hatching in FIG. 5, a user has selected a singleprocess step chain, including, in order, process steps A, C, G and K.For example, the software may allow a user to select a process stepchain in the angular view of the present invention, by indicating aprocess step with a mouse-driven cursor and then selecting (that is,highlighting) one or more of the process step chains of which theindicated process step is a constituent step. Alternatively, a user maybe allowed to highlight multiple process steps, for example, by holdingdown a control-key continuously while mouse-clicking various processstep blocks in the angular view. By selecting a given process stepchain, the user may be given the option to show that particularsub-process in the diagram view. For example, FIG. 6 shows how thesub-process selected in FIG. 5 appears in its corresponding diagramview, including process step (or task) A 401 a; task C 402; task G 404;and task K. While the angular view is helpful for understanding certainaspects of the process, the diagram view may be helpful forunderstanding other aspects and/or for editing purposes. As shown inFIG. 7, a user has indeed edited the diagram view of FIG. 6 to inserttwo process steps: task AA 406; and task BB 407. Because task AA is adecision block type process step, that means that there are twoalternative concurrent business process step chains subsequent to taskAA, one being constituted by task BB, and the other being constituted bytask G and task K.

FIG. 7 also shows that the users has made a modification to task A 401 ato convert it to the new version of task A 401 b. More specifically, theuser has decided to change the targeted cost associated with performingbusiness process step A from 1.00 money unites to 1.56 money units, inresponse to some revised costing information that has been obtained bythe user.

As shown in FIG. 8, in additions to the sub-process changes made at FIG.7, the user is also using the diagram view to add a new sub-process tothe larger process of view 400. More particularly, the sub-process beingadded at FIG. 8 includes task A 401 b, task CC 408 and task DD 409.

As shown in FIG. 9, the user has decided to switch back to the angularview, which now reflects the changes made at FIGS. 7 and 8 and istherefore denominated as revised angular view 440. View 440 includes thesub-process revisions made at FIG. 7, although task AA is not shownbecause the duration of this process is 0.00 time units, so it has noradial length. The fact that task BB, on one hand, and tasks G,K, on theother hand, now represent alternative concurrent business step chains(as opposed to parallel concurrent business process step chains) in view440 is the reason that these two concurrent step chains are separated bydouble line 441, instead of a single line. This is not the only way, oreven necessarily the preferred way, to represent the difference betweenalternative and parallel concurrent business process step chains in anangular view. For example, alternative concurrent step chains could berepresented by semi-transparent graphical layers, or as a threedimensional stack extending into the plane of the two dimensionaldisplay. As a further example, color coding could be used to distinguishparallel and alternative concurrent step chains. As still a furtherexample, no distinction may be made to distinguish parallel fromalternative step chains.

As further shown in view 440, the new sub-process of FIG. 8, includingtasks CC and DD, has been added in a previously-vacant angular sweep.

FIG. 10 shows computer system 500 for running business process relatedsoftware according to the present invention. System 500 includes widearea network (WAN)/local area network (LAN) 501; computer I 502;business process related software 504, 534 a, 534 c, 534 d; displaydevices 508, 519; displays 519; computer II 512; remote softwareinterface software 514, 544; server computer 532; cel phone 542;wireless transceiver 546 and display panel 548. As shown in FIG. 10, a“standalone” version of business process related software is running ona user personal computer in the form of computer I. Computer I outputsthe angular view(s) according to the present invention to display 509 ofdisplay device 508 and also to printer 506 (in hard copy form).

The business process related software according to the present inventionmay also be used in a distributed manner over multiple, remote devicesconnected by a communication network. For example, as shown in FIG. 10,the server computer is ready to server the business process relatedsoftware in either “standalone” form 534 a, 534 c, 534 d, or in itscollaborative, multiple simultaneous user form 534 b. As a matter offact, both the cel phone 542 user and the computer II 512 user arc shownas collaborating by using collaborative business process software 534 bover the network, which is why their respective displays both showdisplay 519. In order for the cel phone and computer II to use theremote business process related software on the server computer, theyare respectively shown to be loaded with remote software interfacesoftware 514. However, in some system embodiments of the presentinvention, no specialized software may be required on the guest machine.In fact, the guest machine might even be a thin client or dumb terminalin some system embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a more detailed schematic view of business processsoftware 504, including: user input module 551; display out module 552;printer output module 553; diagram view module 554; tabular view module555; and angular view module 556. There may be additional modules, as isnow conventional or later developed, such as business process filesaving module, business process template database, and so on. The userinput module takes in user input for the purposes of viewing, printingand/or editing the business process. The display output module takes adisplay of the generated business process view, generated by module(s)554, 555 and/or 556, as outputs it in an appropriate form to bedisplayed on a display device, such as display device 508. The printeroutput module takes a display of the generated business process view,generated by module(s) 554, 555 and/or 556, as outputs it in anappropriate form to be printed on a printer, such as printer 506. Thediagram view module generates the diagram view of the business process,as shown in FIG. 1. The tabular view module generates the tabular viewof the business process, as shown in FIG. 2. The angular view modulegenerates the angular view of the business process, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 shows three dimensional angular process view 600 including:axial dimension A; radial dimension ρ; angular dimension θ; physicalspace location origins 610, 620, 630, 640; and three dimensional processstep blocks 611, 621, 613, 621, 631, 632, 641. In this three dimensionalprocess view, different points (or origins) along the axial directionrepresent different places that different process steps are performed(for example, at the bank, at the attorney's office, at the accountantsoffice, at the manufacturing facility). Each origin is a center for thethree dimensional process blocks representing steps performed at thelocation of the origin. For example, task 621 is at a different axiallocation than tasks 611, 612 and 613, and centered about a differentorigin (620 instead of 610) because this task is performed at adifferent place than the others. Alternatively, the axial dimensioncould be used to represent other variables, such as the entity or personresponsible for performing the task. In three dimensional angular viewsof the present invention (which are not necessarily preferred), the useris preferably allowed to adjust the perspective viewing vector and/or totake orthogonal cross-sectional slices (perpendicular to the axialdirection A).

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are provided to facilitate claiminterpretation and the lexicography set forth in this section shall beconsidered as controlling over any lexicographic inferences that mightotherwise be attempted to be drawn based on other sections of thisdocument:

Present invention: means at least some embodiments of the presentinvention; references to various feature(s) of the “present invention”throughout this document do not mean that all claimed embodiments ormethods include the referenced feature(s).

First, second, third, etc. (“ordinals”): Unless otherwise noted,ordinals only serve to distinguish or identify (e.g., various members ofa group); the mere use of ordinals implies neither a consecutivenumerical limit nor a serial limitation.

Business process related computer software: any software used to viewand/or edit any visual representation of any business process.

Process steps: any step regardless of whether it is purely decisional,involves tangible subject matter; or involves concrete action.

Business process: includes, but is not limited to processes,sub-processes, sub-sub-processes and so on.

Sub-process: any subset of one or more process steps of a larger (orco-extensive) process, regardless of whether all the process steps arejoined in any sort of chain relationship (although sub-processesgenerally will be in the form of one or more business process stepchains that share one or more common process steps).

Concurrent business process step chain(s): any sub-sets of businessprocess steps of a larger business process that would, or arc targetedto, at least partially overlap in time if all of the business processsteps of the sub-set of business process steps were performed; one typeof concurrent business process step chain is the alternative concurrentbusiness process step chain(s), where the temporally overlapping stepsof two chains are be performed in the alternative, where only one chainor the other is performed during any iteration of the process (orrecurring sub-process); another type of concurrent business process stepchain is the parallel concurrent business process step chain(s), wherethe temporally overlapping steps of two chains are to both be actuallyperformed (in an at least partially simultaneous manner), during anyiteration of the process (or recurring sub-process).

Transforming matter: transforming matter in any way that qualifies aspatent-eligible subject matter under applicable patent law.

Machine: any machine with sufficient computational power, sufficientfunctional specificity and otherwise sufficient to confer patenteligible subject matter status under applicable patent law.

To the extent that the definitions provided above are consistent withordinary, plain, and accustomed meanings (as generally shown bydocuments such as dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), the abovedefinitions shall be considered supplemental in nature. To the extentthat the definitions provided above are inconsistent with ordinary,plain, and accustomed meanings (as generally shown by documents such asdictionaries and/or technical lexicons), the above definitions shallcontrol. If the definitions provided above are broader than theordinary, plain, and accustomed meanings in some aspect, then the abovedefinitions shall be considered to broaden the claim accordingly.

To the extent that a patentee may act as its own lexicographer underapplicable law, it is hereby further directed that all words appearingin the claims section, except for the above-defined words, shall take ontheir ordinary, plain, and accustomed meanings (as generally shown bydocuments such as dictionaries and/or technical lexicons), and shall notbe considered to be specially defined in this specification. In thesituation where a word or term used in the claims has more than onealternative ordinary, plain and accustomed meaning, the broadestdefinition that is consistent with technological feasibility and notdirectly inconsistent with the specification shall control.

Unless otherwise explicitly provided in the claim language, steps inmethod steps or process claims need only be performed in the same timeorder as the order the steps arc recited in the claim only to the extentthat impossibility or extreme feasibility problems dictate that therecited step order (or portion of the recited step order) be used. Thisbroad interpretation with respect to step order is to be used regardlessof whether the alternative time ordering(s) of the claimed steps isparticularly mentioned or discussed in this document.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: performing with a machine:display the process as an angular process view defining at least anangular direction and a radial direction, with each process step beingrepresented as a corresponding angular block in the angular processview, wherein each angular block is allocated an angular segment as afunction of at least one of a number of parallel concurrent processsteps and a number of alternatively concurrent process steps, with theordering of the angular blocks in the angular direction representingdifferent process step chains or sub-chains and with the ordering of theangular blocks in the radial direction representing temporal order ofthe process steps, with a radial length of each angular block that is afunction of the amount of time that the corresponding process step takesto complete; wherein the angular view module is programmed such thatwhen process steps are radially aligned, but angularly offset, theprocess steps represent parallel concurrent or alternatively concurrentprocess steps; and creating, by the machine, a visual representation ofthe angular process view.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprisingperforming with the machine: transforming matter based, at least inpart, on a user's review and understanding of the visual representationof the angular process view.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprisingperforming with the machine: receiving, by the machine, user inputthrough a user interface that includes the visual representation of theangular process view; and editing the process based on the user input.4. The method of claim 1 further comprising performing with the machine:displaying an annotation on the angular process view.
 5. The method ofclaim 4 wherein the annotation includes information to facilitateonline, targeted analysis.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprisingperforming with the machine: generating an angular process heat-map forthe process.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the heat map is colorcoded.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein: the process comprises aplurality of worksteps; each workstep has a respective completion time;worksteps whose respective completion time are within a secondpredetermined time range are represented in a second color in theheatmap; the first predetermined time range does not overlap with thesecond predetermined time range; and the first color is different thanthe second color.
 9. A method comprising: performing with a machine:generating an angular process view: with the angular process viewdefining at least an angular direction and a radial direction; with eachprocess step being represented as a corresponding angular block in theangular process view, wherein each angular block is allocated an angularsegment as a function of at least one of a number of parallel concurrentprocess steps and a number of alternatively concurrent process steps;with a radial length of each angular block that is a function of theamount of time that the corresponding process step takes to complete;with the ordering of the angular blocks in the angular directionrepresenting different process step chains or sub-chains and with theordering of the angular blocks in the radial direction representingtemporal order of the process steps; and with process steps that areradially aligned, but angularly offset, representing parallel concurrentor alternatively concurrent process steps; and creating a visualrepresentation of the angular process view.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein the angular view module is further programmed so that eachangular block is generally arcuate in shape.
 11. The method of claim 9further comprising performing with the machine: receiving user inputcontrol requests that control viewing, printing and/or editing theprocess.
 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising performing withthe machine: displaying the angular process view on a display device.13. The program method of claim 9 further comprising performing with themachine: printing the angular process view on a printer.
 14. The methodof claim 9 further comprising performing with the machine: generating adiagram view of the process.
 15. The method of claim 9 furthercomprising performing with the machine: generating a tabular view of theprocess.